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T O P I C R E V I E W

Fezman92

Where can I find a good model of the International Space Station (ISS) that isn't expensive?

Tykeanaut

I believe Heller does one at a reasonable price. I paid about £28.00 ($45.00) a few years ago.

Spaceguy5

AXM Papermodels has a very accurate, still-growing paper model of the station in 1/144 and 1/100 which can be built in any configuration. He also has Soyuz, Progress, ATV, HTV, and any 1/144 Orbiter available for free. You just download the files, print, and assemble. Most modules are sold separately and relatively cheap, although many are available for free.

quote:Originally posted by Philip:The Space Store has a superb scale model of the ISS.

Past tense. They had a model.

OLDIE

Amazon currently have 4 Revell 1:144 scale kits for around 80 USD.

Spaceguy5

The only thing I don't like about all the plastic ISS models is that every one I've seen follows the old configuration and they lack features such as external stowage platforms and spare equipment.

apolloprojeckt

There are extra upgrade kits for this 1/144 Revell kit, and a little building from yourself, it will be more accurate and give you more satisfaction.

Jay Chladek

The smallest plastic model ISS I've seen was from OTC Start (a Russian company) in 1/288 scale, although size wise it may still be a little smaller than that. It was still decent sized even though it was small. IMR and Revell did 1/144 kits and Revell is repoping their 1/144 offering late this year (not sure if they will modify it to the final as built configuration though or keep it as the original proposed configuration).

Takara in one of their pre-paint aircraft "candy toy" lines in Japan did a 1/700 ISS. You got the mid-configuration ISS in one box and a shuttle in another and each of the other 1/700 planes in the line gave you another part to expand the model to the final configuration (as proposed with the X-38 CRV and the Russian solar tower). The replica looked nice and you could leave parts off to make it look more like the current configuration. But to get all 12 pieces in the set even at $10 each would cost $120 or so. And then you would be left with a bunch of other planes that you may or may not have wanted to collect in the first place.

As for the Heller one, it is okay but they left off the main truss, which is a BIG part of what makes up the final ISS.

BMckay

I am looking to be able to display an up-to-date ISS model at space events. Any ideas on where I can get one?

Not sure about a Revell model and have someone build it for me or try to find a made on. I don't have $4K-$5K to buy a real good one.

Any suggestions?

Editor's note: Threads merged.

arjuna

Tomytec has a 1:700 version of the completed ISS w/ shuttle that I'm guessing is a re-branded version of the Takara one that Jay mentioned. They come in are both painted and pre-painted versions.

I bought a pre-painted one from HobbyLink Japan a couple of months ago and it's well done - but it's not a snap-together by any means and requires some glue/skill. The painted version is currently out of stock. I can confirm that the actual model is much nicer than how it appears in the photo. Once assembled, it's a bit fragile and doesn't like a lot of handling. But worth the $37 + shipping.

BMckay

If I buy one (back ordered), could someone volunteer to make and strengthen it for me? I am willing to pay or have it be a donation to a 501c3. I will pay for the model. I can't build models — no talent — always use to much glue and leave finger prints. I would not need it until April or May.

Please email me if you can help.

Bill Hunt

I'd love to see better pictures of that.

arjuna

I've never uploaded pictures here before, so I don't really know what I'm doing. But they should be viewable on Flickr:

Bill Hunt

Not bad! Thanks for sharing those. Looks like a nice alternative to what is sure to be a somewhat more expensive Dragon replica.

It appears to be very well done for its size, but care will have to be taken to remove the parts from the sprues without damaging the paint.

arjuna

The resolution in those pics isn't the best, so the model is probably even nicer than it appears. But again, the downside is that it is fragile, and although it needs no painting some of the parts have to be handled/assembled with finesse. I've done some fairly complicated models and this one was deceptively difficult. 2 on a scale of 5, but if I had tried to get rid of the sprue seams etc. it would have been a 2.5 or 3 (not because it's complicated, but because it's fragile).

Anyway, Dragon would do well to get the Tomytec and make sure theirs is nicer and a little more robust. Of course, it's also likely to be three times the price.

quote:Originally posted by PeterO:It appears to be very well done for its size, but care will have to be taken to remove the parts from the sprues without damaging the paint.

Yeah, it does help to be able to read a little Japanese!

It is impossible to take the parts off the sprue without damaging some of the paint - mainly on the main solar arrays. I just decided not to bother with that.

One thing you do have to watch especially is that the fit of the pins for those solar arrays are pretty fragile going into their holes - I broke off two of them and as a result it took me a long time to drill holes and get them glued back in proper alignment.

All that said, I had fun putting it together - it was nice not having to mess with masking and painting.

alexbaja

I managed to order an ISS kit in 1/144th Intermountain Railway Company from andromeda24.de in Germany. I was told that it was the last model kit he had but it still shows up for sale on his site. The price is 199 Euros. I added the enhancement kit plus shipping with a total cost of 251.48 Euros.

If there is anybody interested I would suggest to contact them as you well know this item has been out of production for some time.

Space In Scale

I'd actually like to know if anyone knows if the rumour is true about Bandai producing this.

I know they said no more space models, but I believe they listed it not so long ago at a show they attended, but it was quickly denied and taken down.

alexbaja

To be honest I was really waiting for Bandai to come out with an ISS. My thoughts were that since there was no conclusions from Bandai my second best model was this one and on the other hand this costed me 250 Euros and I am sure that the Bandai model will surely exceed this price. Their model train is over 700 Euros.

On the other hand I have all Bandai's models and I am up the sky with them so I guess we will have to wait and see.

cspg

quote:Originally posted by alexbaja:I managed to order an ISS kit in 1/144th Intermountain Railway Company from andromeda24.de in Germany.

An incomplete ISS model- and it's not listed under ISS if you do make a search of their website.

If LEGO dropped their ISS model because they couldn't manage to have the model's elements stick together (pieces would fall off), and since Dragon Models is planning to issue three different ISS models - not one of the completed ISS, maybe Bandai dropped the idea because it was technically unfeasible?

alexbaja

quote:Originally posted by cspg: An incomplete ISS model - Bandai dropped the idea because it was technically unfeasible?

You might be right Chris that it is not technically perfect but with some scratch building and some loving care I should build a respectable (ISS) model.

The modules of this model should fit snugly together, I am sure that I should be happy with this model.

If ever Bandai gets their ISS model out then I will see if can afford it.

alexbaja

quote:Originally posted by alexbaja:I managed to order an ISS kit in 1/144th Intermountain Railway Company from andromeda24.de in Germany.

I was told by the seller that he has only one left.

Tykeanaut

I picked up a small ISS kit a while ago and while not of great detail I wondered what colours to paint it? Are the modules predominately silver and the solar arrays a brownish hue?